ClipGeomWedge

DESCRIPTION

ClipGeomWedge takes a single geometry input and, using two clipping planes, causes a 'wedge' shaped gap to appear to have been cut from the geometry when viewed in the Render module.

Using this module allows the internal inspection of generated geometry without the need for cropping of the original data and re-visualizing. It only affects the geometry that passes through it, leaving other geometry in the Render module un-clipped.

The planes are initially positioned at either the centre of world coordinates (0,0,0) or the centre of the bounding box of the input geometry (selected by the 'Centred At' widget). This is the centre point about which any rotation subsequently occurs. The initial clip direction for the first clipping plane is along the negative X axis, that is to say that any geometry in the negative X half-space will be clipped. This can be altered to clip along the negative Y direction by setting the 'Initial Clip Direction' widget to 'Along Y'. Clipping along negative Z is set similarly. The centre point and direction of the clipping plane can subsequently be altered by means of an input transformation matrix as created by the TransformGen module. The (XYZ) translations are added to the initial centre point and the rotation then applied to the clipping direction to orient the clipping plane. Further, using the 'Distance from Centre' widget, the clip plane can be moved a distance along the clipping direction.

The two planes can be positioned independently by using two transformation matrices. If only a single transformation matrix is supplied the second plane is positioned at 90 degrees to the postion of the first plane.

Ordinarily the clipping planes have no geometric representation, but to make orientation easier, a representation can be added. The chosen representation is selected using the 'Representation' option menu. When a representation is being used, lines extending from the corners show the direction in which clipping will occur (i.e opposite to the clipping direction). The first clipping plane is red, the second plane is blue.

This is a transformation lattice as generated by the TransformGen module and is applied to the first clipping plane. It contains an offset which is added to the centre point and a rotation which is then applied about the new centre point. (The centre point is as defined above.) The default position of the second clipping plane, if no transform is supplied, is 90 degrees to the first plane.

This is a transformation lattice as generated by the TransformGen module and is applied to the second clipping plane. It contains an offset which is added to the centre point and a rotation which is then applied about the new centre point. (The centre point is as defined above.) Having a second transform overrides the default position of the second cutting plane.

Since a clipping plane has no geometric representation by default, an artificial one can be added. This can be either an outline or a semi-transparent plane. The representation of the second plane is only drawn if a transformation lattice is supplied on the Xform2 port.

Port: Representation SizeType: Slider

The size of the representation can be controlled using this slider.

Port: Just Move RepresentationType: Check Box

In cases where the geometry to be clipped is very large, moving the actual clipping plane may take some time. Setting this widget to True allows just its representation to be moved. Once the desired position is found, just reset the widget value to False for the new position to take effect.

OUTPUTS

Port: ClippedGeomType: Geometry

The clipped input geometry and any geometric representation that has been created.

KNOWN PROBLEMS

Wiring the output geometry into other modules with the 'Just Move Representation' widget set to True causes a Receiver error to occur. This can fixed by simply setting the widget to False and then back to true again.

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